Literally elevating his game to new heights, Kamehameha Schools senior Pi'i Minns helped the Warriors ascend to their first Interscholastic League of Honolulu and state boys basketball championships since 1992.

For his efforts, Minns was named Advertiser All-State Player of the Year after a recent vote of coaches, officials and media.

Minns, a high-flying 6-foot-3 guard, did a little bit of everything for a team-oriented Kamehameha squad full of role players. He was one of the state's top offensive threats, able to take opponents to the basket off the dribble or pull up and hit shots from 3-point range.

With his quickness and leaping ability, Minns also helped with rebounds and blocking shots, as well as picking off passes and making steals in the open court.

In the Warriors' 47-45 victory over Kahuku in the state championship game, Minns scored 20 points including 10 in the fourth period and the go-ahead basket with 1:22 remaining. His basket with 3:42 left started Kamehameha on a 10-3 run after it had trailed, 39-36, with 5:15 remaining.

"We gave Pi'i the ball at the end and told him to take over," Kamehameha coach Jesse Nakanishi said. "He came through for us."

Minns is joined on The Advertiser's All-State first team by fellow Warrior Micah Christenson, Kaimuki's David Taulung, Kahuku's Jray Galea'i and 'Iolani's Pablo Warner.

Christenson, a smooth 6-5 sophomore forward, displayed uncanny poise and versatility throughout the season. In a thrilling 63-57 triple-overtime victory against Kaimuki, Christenson played 38 minutes and scored a game-high 26 points (including 10 of 12 free throws), grabbed five rebounds, made three steals, blocked one shot and had one assist.

Taulung, a 5-8 senior point guard, was a masterful ball-handler and floor leader who controlled tempo, found the open shooters and hit the mid-range jumper or driving layup himself when appropriate. In that triple-overtime loss, he had 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Galea'i, a 6-foot senior guard, led the Red Raiders to a perfect regular season and the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship. He was a physical but quick presence who could attack the basket or hit the 3-pointer with equal skill.

In a 56-53 victory over ILH runner-up 'Iolani in the state semifinals, Galea'i had 12 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals.

Warner, a 6-2 senior forward, was relentless on offense and a scrappy rebounder and defender. In the state semifinal loss to Kahuku, Warner had 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Nakanishi was named Coach of the Year after guiding the Warriors to a 14-1 finish in the regular and postseason. Their only loss was a 44-42 defeat at 'Iolani.

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com.